South Australia

City of Whyalla

Australia

During the months of April through to September (peaking in June and July) Giant Australian Cuttlefish gather here to mate in hundreds of thousands. There can be hundreds visible at any time, grouped along the shore from the Santos fenceline to Black Point a couple of kilometres west. Dolphins can also be seen in the area feeding on the cuttlefish, and occasional Southern Right and Humpback Whale sightings are a treat.

This is the world's largest known breeding aggregation of cuttlefish, and it is a unique spectacle to behold.

After an alarming drop in population in 2011, the cuttlefish habitat is now threated by the proposal of a 280 megalitre-per-day desalination plant, port expansion and other industrial developments. Dive community solidarity is needed to help save the Giant Australian Cuttlefish and their home. You can find out more at http://cuttlefishcountry.com

They don't get much easier han this! It's a very short walk from a small parking lot down a non-slip boardwalk and across 10-20 metres of large, flat rocks into the water. The entry point is at the fenceline of Santos' Port Bonython gas fractionation plant, on the Western side. The rocks at the water's edge can be slippery. Note: as of April 2012, access to this dive site is threatened by the proposed expansion of Port Bonython, and construction of a new iron ore export jetty. Opportunity for public comment exists. You can find out more at cuttlefishcountry.com

Port Bonython Fenceline is also known as Whyalla Cuttlefish.